Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition (73 page)

Pia hated to admit it, but she was nervous. She didn’t know anything about attracting a mate. From what she’d been told, her parents had been happy before her mother died. As to having children, she knew even less. Perhaps there would be a nice blind man in need of a wife—a nice blind man who was sterile and couldn’t have children.

Well, a girl could always dream.

Pia sat still as the beauty droid worked. She’d refused its services for most of the trip. But now, seeing as it was her best option to get married, she let the robot tend to her. Feeling it pull on her overly long blonde locks, Pia frowned. The miles of hair on her head were going to be the first thing to go once this whole marriage business was settled.

“I wish I could be so ambitious. I’m afraid I didn’t sit through a single one of those boring uploads,” another woman said.

After the uploads, Pia was sure she knew more about the planet than most of its inhabitants did. Qurilixen was on the outer edge of the Y quadrant. The planet’s surface was plagued by a soft green haze of light because it had three suns—two yellow and one blue—and one moon.

“I tried on my gown this afternoon,” Gena said, much to Pia’s annoyance. She glanced to see the woman fondling her own breasts. Pia closed her eyes so she wouldn’t be subjected to the scene. Unhampered, Gena continued, “They are gorgeous, but I think I am going to go get my breasts enhanced again—just a little bigger—and I’m going to have my nipples enlarged. Those princes won’t be able to resist me. Maybe, I’ll marry all four of them just for fun.”

Unable to resist poking holes in the annoying woman’s logic, Pia said sarcastically, “How will you know who the princes are? I’ve heard all the men wear disguises. You could end up with a royal guard.”

“Or a gardener,” a brunette offered with a laugh, joining in the fun.

Gena’s face fell. Pia closed her eyes to her. Mission accomplished.

“I hear they wear practically nothing at all.”

Pia shot Olena Leyton an amused grimace, not liking to be reminded of that little fact. Good thing they couldn’t have sex that first night. She didn’t want anyone touching her.

“Except a mask and some fur,” Olena finished.

Pia could take no more. She blocked them out of her mind as she turned to look into the mirror. Again, the stranger’s face was there in place of hers. She willed the skin to melt into the familiar. After a lifetime defined by one moment, to have that definition taken away, left her doubting herself.

When she turned back around, breaking from her own troubled thoughts of getting married, she noticed that most of the women had already left and her beauty droid was long since finished with her. Nodding kindly at Olena, Pia said nothing as she went back to her suite to get dressed.

Lost in thought, she trailed down the long metal corridor to her room. She startled in surprise to hear the medical droid’s voice say, “Miss Korbin, this way. It’s time for your last treatment.”

Pia stopped walking, embarrassed. Seeing the reserved blue gaze of Nadja on her, she knew the woman had heard. Nadja turned quickly away.

Pia changed her course, glad that the treatments would soon finally be over with. Slipping her ID card over the wall scanner, the medic room door opened and she stepped inside a machine. Dropping her white cotton robe, she stood naked as the medical droid closed her in. Instantly, a bright green light shot all around her body. The rays tingled on her naked flesh.

Closing her eyes, Pia swallowed nervously. It was almost time to meet her future husband. She just hoped one of the Qurilixian men would want to bring ugly little Pia home with them.

T
his was never going
to work. Pia’s heart stopped and tears came to her eyes. She’d spent the last six weeks resigning herself to a Qurilixian husband and now that she saw the grooms, she knew she would have to go back and start the journey all over again. When the uploads had said large warriors, Pia assumed they were politely meaning fat, potbellied fighters. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

But why were men like these paying for brides? Surely a small flight to a neighboring space dock would have been more cost effective. Even for a society that rejected space exploration, though they had the capabilities, the trip to find wives would have provided only a little inconvenience.

Before her were two rows of Qurilixian bachelors. They were large, fighting men. They were warriors. And, to Pia’s everlasting horror, they were all in incredible shape and exceptionally handsome. A few had battle scars on their flesh, but nothing so dramatic that it took away from their beauty. If anything, it only added to their dangerous allure.

The men were nearly seven feet of pure bone, muscle and sculpted flesh. She could tell, since they were practically naked. Pia was no out of shape Wulian debutant, but even she was dwarfed by their thick arms and chests.

Fur loincloths wrapped around their fit waists to leave bare their powerfully built legs and upper bodies. The fire glistened off their smooth, oiled skin. Jewelry clasped around sinewy biceps in golden rings of intricate design. From their solid necks hung crystals bound with leather straps.

Pia knew she looked ridiculous in the outfit the droid had given her to wear. Her shoulders were bared, as the gown only came up to cover her breasts. She could fill the gown out, thanks to the doctors. But the silk and gauze material didn’t make her feel beautiful, only self-conscious. Had she put this outfit on three months ago, she’d have sent children away screaming in fear. She’d give anything for a thick wool cloak and face mask.

Instead, the silk was the darkest of reds, crimson against her tanned skin. The surgery lasers had given her a soft, all-over bronze color that wouldn’t fade. The doctors said it would help protect her sensitive new skin from ultraviolet rays—something that would be particularly useful on a planet with three suns.

Pia sighed as a wave of her long hair hit her forehead. Trying to lift her arm, she frowned when she couldn’t brush the annoying lock off her face. A belt looped across her back, tapering out to the sides, only to lock onto her wrists instead of heading around the front. The strands wound up to her elbows like chains.

The dress fitted to her waist and hips, only to flare out in strips of material when it reached her upper thighs. The wind whipped the skirt against her legs, chilling her. She might as well have been naked for all the coverage the thing afforded her. On her feet were soft, pretty slippers. She missed her combat boots.

Pia ignored the laughing men behind the bachelors, cracking good-natured jokes about the brides and lucky grooms. The rowdier men posed, trying their best to playfully gain the brides’ attention. The bachelors, however, stayed deadly silent and still, barely smiling as they looked at the women standing on top of the docking plank in a straight, orderly line.

Pia’s heart broke as she looked around the wonderful campground. The location was perfect, so basic and simple in its untamed, untouched elegance. The colossal trees of the forest were thick, with large leaves that canopied overhead—the shade would be perfect for camping once she became used to the hours of light. She imagined such a gigantic forest would be great for hunting and fishing, even hiking. Once she learned the local terrain, she could survive off the land here.

This is a place where she could have gotten lost. It was earthy and exotic in its smell of burning wood. It was rustic, yet colorful, in its sights. Primal music played in the background, hypnotic and enticing at the same time.

In the distance there was a mountain range. Pia squinted, barely able to make it out in the darkening skies. Stars sparkled overhead. The moon was large and gave off a brilliant light. It shone over a valley of pyramid-shaped tents, whose walls were lit by torches and whose tops were decorated by waving banners. The vast beauty filled her, called to her. But the sound of laughter pulled her back to reality, to the crowd, to the wedding.

Looking down at the grooms, Pia swallowed painfully, trying not to feel so disappointed. The bachelors still stood like inactive biomechanical guards—almost too perfect to be real. Maybe the next planet would be just as good, only the men would be ugly and attracted to ugly things.

The Qurilixian men had shoulder length hair. Black leather masks covered the grooms’ faces, hiding them from forehead to upper lip. Their eyes shone bright from the eye slits, like probing liquid metal. Behind them, Pia could see the others were more fully dressed. With such a blatant difference in wardrobe for this ceremony, Pia knew that they would be a sexually charged race. Even now she could see the married couples boldly stroking and touching each other as if it were only natural to do so.

This would never be her planet. These would never be her customs.

The line slowly moved, jerking her once more from her thoughts. She dutifully walked down an aisle made up of hot flesh on each side. Her lips curled, though not in pleasure, as she bit the corner of her mouth. She glanced to one side and then the other, knowing full well that no one would look at her for too long with so many other beauties to gaze at. One by one, she saw the men’s eyes alight with lust—lust that wasn’t for her.

Almost to the end of the line, feeling dejected and ready to go back to the ship and change her clothes, she glanced at one of the warriors. He stared at her, his crystal shining from the leather strap on his neck. A handsome specimen with light brown hair a little longer than his comrades and matching brown eyes that seemed to shine. He was taller than the others. He had broad shoulders, which bulged with a rocky play of muscles. He didn’t smile. There was a commanding air to his stance.

Pia expected his eyes to move on as everyone else’s had. When he continued to stare, she frowned, glancing over her shoulder.

How disrespectful!
she thought in growing ire when she turned back to see that he was still watching her.

Taking his expression for one of abhorrence, she shot him an angry scowl. She might not be beautiful, but she didn’t need this warrior pointing that fact out to her.

The man bowed his head in her direction. Pia leaned a little away from him as she passed by. Her mouth curled in disgust of his manners. He might be the most handsome of them all, but that didn’t give him the right to judge her.

Without a backwards glance, she continued on, following the throng of women to a feasting table. She took a deep breath, glad the worst part was over. Now that she’d met with rejection, she could eat, get back to the ship, and prepare for the long flight home.

At least the spacecraft wouldn’t be full of women for the second leg of the journey. That would be something anyway. She could hide in her room, away from the universes, hiding beneath layers of clothing and blankets. Maybe if she curled into a small enough ball, Galaxy Brides would forget about her.

P
rince Zoran
of Draig’s body lit with fire and his mouth suddenly went dry. He could hardly believe his good fortune. The most beautiful woman in line was destined to be his wife. He could see the firm muscles working beneath her shoulders as she walked. Her arms were slender yet strong. She kept amazing care of herself and moved as if she knew how to use her body to full advantage. Her wide hazel eyes looked around without vanity and when she caught his eye, she seemed surprised that he stared.

But how could he not stare at a vision so lovely?

Zoran’s lips didn’t move to smile. He could barely remember to draw breath. Her tanned skin gleamed in the firelight and the crimson of her gown was wickedly erotic as it hugged to her very pleasing curves.

She glanced over her shoulder and then back at him. The confusion in her eyes turned to a look of instant annoyance. If not for that hard look directed at him, he would’ve reached forward and grabbed her. Remembering at the last moment that he needed to acknowledge her, he did so with a bow.

The woman kept away from him, her eyes narrowing as she hurried past, almost as if she was afraid he meant to touch her. By the look on her face, she wasn’t as pleased with him as he was her. This puzzled him.

Zoran knew he was a handsome, sought after man, even without the title of prince attached to his name. Whenever he traveled outside his planet, women would vie for his attention. When the prostitutes came to Qurilixen to relieve the men, he was always a hard fought for prize, having his pick of any of the beauties—sometimes taking two or three. But those wild days were behind him. He was of the age to finally settle down.

He kept an eye on his bride as she walked away. Her athletic legs strode in perfect form and he felt an animalistic growl growing in the back of his throat. His eyes flashed with the glittering of a barbarous gold. His body already craved her and, by the will of the gods, he would have her.

P
ia was
ready for the night to be over. She stared at the married couples as they laughed and flirted so easily by the firelight. For a moment, she was jealous, wishing she could be one of the beautiful people she saw enjoying their celebration. They laughed and joked like a giant family, a whole community bonded in trust and loyalty. She knew what it was like to belong to a family, one you could depend on and go to, one who would fight by your side, no questions asked. She imagined this place would be like that for someone who belonged in it.

The brides had been directed to long wooden tables where a large meal had been spread beneath a canopy. It was a veritable feast of roasted two-horned pigs, blocks of Qurilixian blue bread with whipped cheese, strange fruit, and crusted pastries. Pia didn’t eat and she didn’t drink what they offered. She just wasn’t in the mood. As soon as she returned to the spacecraft she planned on a nice, long massage and a bottomless cup of Old Earthen green tea.

The Qurilixian men wore simple tunic shirts and breeches. Servants carried pitchers full of a strange berry wine. Pia’s attention was caught as Olena, at her side, eagerly waved one of the servants over. The man’s light blond hair fell over his shoulders as he bowed. Olena held up her goblet, barely giving him a second glance.

Pia did notice him however. A tingle of warning prickled the back of her neck and down her spine. He was dressed plainly like the others, but Pia knew well the use of a disguise. Clothes didn’t create a person. They did, however, conceal a person. If you watched closely enough, the real person’s nature would always shine through.

She frowned, seeing how the servant’s large hands shook when he poured. They were callused along the side ridge of his palm. This man wielded a sword, probably a heavy blade used typically by foot soldiers. Narrowing her eyes, she studied his movements. He was light on his feet as he walked away, but hadn’t been so graceful when he took Olena’s goblet from her hand, as if he tried not to grip it too hard.

“He makes for a peculiar servant,” Pia mused thoughtfully to herself. Suspiciously, she watched him as he moved along the table. His eyes didn’t travel to the goblets and he seemed more preoccupied with the married couples out by the bonfire pit than with the brides. Bumping into another servant, he mumbled an apology, spilling his wine as he walked down the platform.

“They make for a peculiar race,” Olena mumbled.

Pia glanced at the woman, surprised to hear her answer. She hadn’t realized she’d spoken out loud. Forcing herself to laugh softly, she nodded in agreement. “Do you believe this whole deal?”

“What are you doing here anyway?” Olena asked curiously. “You hardly seem like the type to get trapped into coming.”

“Free benefits,” Pia said, her words enigmatic. She could tell Olena meant no insult. Pia’s eyes shadowed for a moment as she watched the blond man slipping away into the dark forest. Absently, she glanced at Olena, seeing the woman was about to speak. Pia stopped her, moving to stand. “I think I’m going to follow that servant. He’s up to something.”

And it’s not like I have anything better to do tonight.

As she tried to leave, she glanced down the dining platform. Pia quickly sat back down. The grooms were coming before them, walking up the platform to the table. She’d have to stay put and follow the servant in a moment. What else was she going to spend the night doing? Besides, it would be nice to explore a little before getting trapped on the ship for another month.

Leaning back, with the plan of waiting out the bride and groom pairings, a figure suddenly loomed before her. She turned her attention upward. The rude stranger who had stared at her in line studied her. She crossed her arms over her chest, showing she wasn’t amused by his joke.

Sure, that’s right, pick on the ugly girl. Ha, ha, ha, very funny. You are so hilarious,
Pia fumed inwardly. Even her thoughts came out sarcastically. Her brow lifted as she waited for him to take his best shot. There was no insult he could throw at her that she hadn’t heard before.

Even so, her stomach tightened and she braced herself for the assault.

“I’m Zoran,” the large warrior stated. His voice was softened with the accent of his people. Though the words were gentle, he didn’t smile as he studied her.

Though his tone was seductive in its low pitch, Pia refused to be affected by it. She was too irritated. Her brow lifted higher, as if to say,
So? That concerns me, how?

Zoran’s brows knitted beneath his mask. She waited, hating how he drew out the moment. The longer he stared at her, the more attention they would receive. Leaning nearer, he placed his palms on the table and softly ordered her, “Come.”

“Come?” she automatically repeated, the word more a mockery of him than an actual question.

Pia slowly stood and looked him over with a barely contained ire. His offer, if the way he commanded her to go with him could be considered an offer, was the only way she was getting out of the current spotlight. More than likely, he’d simply tell her she wasn’t welcome and to get back on the ship.

Pia considered swinging a fist at his head, but then thought better of it. She wasn’t scared of fighting him, even though he was imposing, it was the fact that he had a festival full of people to back him up. She couldn’t fight them all. So, instead, she said nothing as she came around the table to better face him.

“Come.” He held his hand out like the other grooms had. Pia gave a quick glance around. Did this man expect her to…?

Pia became livid. Oh, real funny. He couldn’t find a wife so he’d come to play games with her. What? Were all his friends watching in the distance? Did he lose a bet? Draw the short straw? Pull the wrong chip? Was he going to lead her to the wrong tent and leave her there as a cruel joke on someone else? Was he going to toy with her and then refuse to let her choose him as a husband? Or, worst of all, did he think she would fall readily into his oversized arms and he’d get a free night of sport?

Standing, hands on hips, she looked him over and forced a sigh.

“Well?” Pia demanded through tight lips. “Lead the way. Let’s get this over with.”

He nodded his head and began to walk.

Pia watched the quiet stranger carefully as she followed him, her eyes scanning the crowd. Other brides were being led forward—some by hand, some not. She saw Olena behind her being carried over a man’s shoulder, a look of amusement on the woman’s face. Turning her attention back to the barbaric Zoran, she eyed him critically, looking for flaws.

He was too big, too muscled, too much hair on his head, too tanned, too built, too...naked, too incredibly graceful when he walked, too handsome of body, too firm, especially in the backside as it moved beneath the fur loincloth.

Pia tightened her fist nervously. What was she doing?

Her frown deepened and she let loose an aggravated sigh. Zoran glanced at her, but held quiet as he continued on. Stopping at a red tent, he moved to open the flap for her.

“Come,” he said.

Pia studied him warily. She lifted her hand to push back the blonde strands that blew across her face, constantly taken aback by them, but her arm was trapped by the belt.

When she didn’t move forward, but only continued to stare, Zoran stepped closer. He repeated his word louder, his tone growing hard as if he was stating a direct order, “Come.”

“After you,” Pia answered, doing her best not to look at the glowing crystal snuggled into the depths of his incredibly admirable chest. An ache moved its way into her stomach.

Oh, wonderful. To top off the perfectly dreadful night, she was going to get sick as well.

Zoran shrugged and led the way in. Pia followed him inside the tent and glanced around. She really had no choice. If she took off too quickly and this man protested, she’d be in some serious trouble with Galaxy Brides. Then all her painful surgeries to disguise herself would have been for nothing.

If she ran away from him too soon, Galaxy Brides could try to call her on her contract. She couldn’t afford to pay them for the surgeries, and she wouldn’t risk them sending out a bulletin with her before-and-after pictures on it. They claimed they didn’t take any, but Pia didn’t trust that lady doctor.

Pia had no choice but to wait this prank out. She couldn’t risk letting the Rayvikians find her. To do so would be a horrific death sentence.

The red dirt floor was covered completely in soft furs. In the middle, beneath the center point of the pyramid, there was a low bed with more furs and pillows. It stood about a half-foot off the ground.

In one corner was a low table with giant pillows on the floor. It was laden with chocolates and fruit. In the next corner was a steaming bathtub with perfumes and oils. In the third corner, she saw a bondage table with straps and whips. She stiffened at that one. If this man tried to tie her down, she’d have no choice but to defend herself.

Without flinching, she went to the low food table and studied it.

“Ah,” she murmured to herself. Zoran tensed as she picked up a knife, but she ignored him. She didn’t wield it at him, but instead turned it on the belt around her waist. With a deft flick, she cut the straps and stretched out her freed arms.

Pia studied the blade for a moment. It would be too dull to slice through her hair.

More’s the pity,
she thought,
putting the blade down.